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10-Cent Pan-American Union Air Mail Stamp (Scott #C25)

Pair of two violet 10-cent US air mail stamps featuring the Pan-American Union building and an airplane.

Estimated value

$1 - $5

Rarity

Common(2/10)

Category

Stamps

Brand

United States Post Office Department

Era

1940

Origin

🇺🇸 United States

Authenticity

Very High(90%)
2

10-CENT PAN-AMERICAN UNION AIR MAIL STAMP (SCOTT #C25): IDENTIFICATION

A horizontal pair of 10-cent United States air mail stamps featuring the Pan-American Union Building in Washington, D.C. The stamps are printed in a distinct violet ink via the flat-plate process and include a design showing an airplane in flight above the building. This specific issue was produced to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Pan-American Union.

Compare with other stamps in the archive: Belgian Congo, Queen Elisabeth Mask Issue (1928-1930) - 6 Francs, Belgium 1912 definitive series postage stamp, 10-centime carmine on blue frame, cancelled 'MONS S-GENERAL', Bosnia and Herzegovina 1906 1-Heller Town View Stamp with German Overprint.

CROSS-CULTURAL PARALLELS

Where This Object Echoes

Americas (Pan-Americanism)1930s-1940s

The visual motif of the airplane connecting the Pan-American building represents the 'Good Neighbor Policy' era of US diplomacy.

Ritual & Ceremonial Use

  • •The use of air mail for international correspondence, which in 1940 was a premium service signifying modern connectivity.

Meaning Through Time

1940

Symbolized hemispheric solidarity and technological progress through aviation.

POSTAL HERITAGE

Issued on April 9, 1940, by the United States Post Office Department, this stamp (Scott #C25) celebrated the 50th anniversary of the founding of the International Union of American Republics, later known as the Pan-American Union. While the user notes a 1930 era, this specific design was uniquely ...
Issued on April 9, 1940, by the United States Post Office Department, this stamp (Scott #C25) celebrated the 50th anniversary of the founding of the International Union of American Republics, later known as the Pan-American Union. While the user notes a 1930 era, this specific design was uniquely released in 1940 as part of a diplomatic effort to strengthen ties across the Western Hemisphere during the early years of WWII. The total printing exceeded 14 million copies according to the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue.

PHILATELIC NOTES

1

The 10-cent rate on this stamp was specifically intended to cover the air mail postage rate to South and Central American countries in 1940.

SCARCITY

Common20-40%
CommonLegendary

Older mass-produced items still widely available. Easy to find on eBay, antique malls, and estate sales in large quantities.

Rarity 2/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 19 stamps items at rarity 2 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

  • Mass produced historically
  • High survival rate
  • Readily available everywhere

Confidence Factors

  • Commonly produced commercial issue with no known high-value contemporary forgeries
  • Design and perforations are consistent with Bureau of Engraving and Printing standards for 1940
How does authenticity detection work?

PHILATELIST'S VERDICT

Cabinet of Curiosities Generalist

Interdisciplinary Investigator

High confidence based on clear legibility of design elements that correspond perfectly to the 1940 Pan-American Union issue.

KEY EVIDENCE

  • 1Denomination of 10-cents visible in lower corners
  • 2Text 'United States Postage' and 'Air Mail' clearly legible
  • 3Architectural depiction of the Pan-American Union Building
  • 4Violet color characteristic of Scott #C25

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •Discrepancy between user's 1930 date and the official 1940 issue date

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Examine the reverse side under a magnifying glass to check for original gum (OG) or hinge marks
  • →Verify perforation gauge with a technical gauge tool for absolute accuracy

CONDITION & GRADE

MNH (Mint Never Hinged) Fine-Very Fine

Grading breakdown

Centering appears shifted slightly toward the left and bottom margins; perforations remain crisp and intact consistent with Scott gauge 11 specifications.

Condition

Stamps appear to be in unused, Mint condition with intact perforations and no visible cancellations. The pair remains attached as a multiple, which is common for this issue.

PHILATELIC VALUATION

$1 - $5

Updated: Jun 9, 2026

Who buys this

Entry-level philatelists or collectors of Pan-American historical memorabilia.

What increases value

  • •Attaching as a pair increases interest slightly over single stamps
  • •Full original gum on the reverse side

What lowers value

  • •Extreme commonality of the 1940 issue limits appreciation
  • •Slightly off-center margins

What makes top-tier examples

  • •Plate blocks of four with original glue
  • •Perfectly 50/50 centering of the design within the margins

Grade & condition

Centering, gum quality, and perforation integrity.

Rarity & demand

CommonModerate demandSells quickly
Browse similar stamps objects

For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

YOUR INPUT VS. SCAN

How your provided context compares with Curiosa.com scanner findings.

What Aligned

  • User stated US origin - confirmed by 'United States Postage' text on stamps
  • User stated Mint condition - stamps show no postal cancellations or hinge marks from this angle

What Conflicted

  • User stated 1930 time period - visual identification confirms Scott #C25 which was issued strictly in 1940

FROM THE CABINET OF

RO

roger50
Wonderseeker•1 item

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